Ireland will send a strong and ambitious team to the Kujawy Pomorze 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships on 20-22, spearheaded by world heptathlon silver medallist Kate O’Connor.
The 25-year-old multi-eventer was one of the breakthrough athletes from 2025, gleaning pentathlon bronze at the Apeldoorn 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships before going on to win silver at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
She extended her success into the heptathlon in the summer, winning gold at the World University Games before a historic first ever heptathlon medal for Ireland at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Griggs ready for senior test
She will be joined in the Irish team by emerging endurance prospect Nick Griggs. The 21-year-old was an impressive winner of the men’s U23 race at the Lagoa 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
He proved his versatility with an excellent personal best of 7:32.79 over 3000m indoors in Boston, USA in January. He will also have Irish teammate Andrew Coscoran alongside him in the men’s 3000m.
The evergreen Mark English also brings a formidable championship pedigree to the Irish team. Five-time European 800m medallist indoors and outdoors, English has been one of Ireland’s most consistent performers at continental level and is sure to be in contention again.
"Real intent"
Athletics Ireland high performance director Paul McNamara said: “This is an exciting team with real prospects for medal success. Kate’s achievement in Nanjing last year has set a bar for what Irish athletes can achieve at these championships, and we travel to Poland with real intent.
“Along with our seasoned performers it’s great to see emerging talent make an impact this season and earn the opportunity to compete against the best in the world.”